Sawada Yukui | A City-Designated Sacred Shrine in Sawada Village (Irabu, Miyako)

Sawada Yukui is a Miyakojima City-designated historic shrine (utaki) in Sawada village in the north-west of Irabu Island. The enshrined deity is Ufuyunushu, said to have come over from Okinoerabujima to Irabu Island in 1457 and spread farming techniques in this area. The people called "Naama" who accompanied him had high seafaring skills, and it is regarded as historically valuable as evidence of travel back and forth across the Nansei Islands. It is thought to have originally been at Hakuchozaki and moved to its present location after the 1644 beacon system. In the four villages of the southern district of Irabu, Sawada, Nagahama, Kuninaka and Nakachi, the Yukui (harvest festival) is held every year to pray for a bountiful harvest and good health. It is a living sacred area that local residents still carefully protect; as an outdoor prayer place, viewing from the outer perimeter is possible, but the interior cannot be entered even outside ritual days. Please be mindful to worship and view quietly.

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Map & Access

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Basic Information

Location (Island)Irabu Island
AddressAza Sawada, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Hours / Opening time24 hours (an outdoor prayer place, always viewable from the outer perimeter). However, the shrine interior cannot be entered.
ClosedNone (always open; however, entry by outsiders is restricted on Yukui ritual days).
FeeFree
ParkingNone (no dedicated car park. If parking on nearby roads, take care not to obstruct traffic or farm work).
ContactMiyakojima City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Promotion Division (Cultural Properties Section) 0980-72-3764

Visiting tips & what to bring

It is a living ritual ground and a sacred area at the centre of the community's faith. Do not enter the torii, prayer hall or interior of the prayer place; always keep to worship and viewing from the outer perimeter. Strictly refrain from touching offerings or ritual implements, or photographing the prayer-place interior without permission. On event days such as the Yukui (harvest festival), entry by outsiders is restricted. As it faces the village living street, when viewing or parking on the road, be considerate so as not to obstruct traffic or farm work, and behave quietly throughout. The surroundings have much vegetation and insects appear in summer, so insect repellent and easy-to-walk footwear are recommended. There is no shade, toilet or vending machine, so it is reassuring to take care of things in advance around Sawada-no-Hama.

For families with small children

As it is a sacred shrine (sacred area) requiring quiet behaviour and consideration for the faith, it is basically unsuitable for viewing with small children aged 0 to 6. There are no playground equipment, shade or toilets, and children running around or making loud noise is unfitting for a ritual place. Keep to quietly checking only the exterior as a cultural property, and if enjoying the island with children, spending time at the nearby Sawada-no-Hama or Nishi-Kaigan Park / Hakuchozaki is recommended.

FAQ

Q.Can tourists view Sawada Yukui too?

A.As it is an outdoor prayer place, viewing and worship from the outer perimeter are possible. However, the shrine is a sacred area where local residents enshrine the deity, and you cannot enter the torii or prayer-place interior. Please view quietly.

Q.Can you go inside to worship?

A.The interior is a sacred area carefully protected by locals, and outsiders cannot enter. On Yukui (harvest festival) ritual days entry is especially restricted. Keep to worship from the outer perimeter.

Q.Can you take photos?

A.Photographing the exterior is possible, but as consideration for the faith, refrain from photographing the prayer-place interior, offerings or ritual implements, or the state of rituals without permission.

Q.Are there parking and toilets?

A.There is no dedicated car park, toilet or vending machine. Keep viewing brief, and it is reassuring to take care of toilet needs around the nearby Sawada-no-Hama. Take care that roadside parking does not obstruct traffic or farm work.

Q.What kind of historic place is it?

A.It is a Miyakojima City-designated historic site, with the enshrined deity Ufuyunushu, said to have come from Okinoerabujima in 1457 and spread farming. It is regarded as a historically valuable shrine showing the travels of people with seafaring skills.